Rolling along with Quilty 365

I am posting a day early as I will be off the grid tomorrow. I can’t believe I have only 3 more rows and less than 5 weeks left in this fun and satisfying project.

I had so much fun with this that I plan to carry on for the coming year by hand quilting for 15 minutes each day. I think I can go around each little circle plus whatever other quilting design I come up with for the same 15 minutes I have put into the appliqueing each morning. Don’t worry, if I can’t keep up with it, I just won’t post it so you’ll never know! 

Do check out Audrey’s blog (Quilty Folk) for the link up with all the great quilters worldwide!

Potholder Quilt Class

I taught a “potholder quilt” class in Corinna (Maine) on Saturday. Thank goodness for my good natured students who allowed me to take some photos, otherwise I would have nothing to post today. We were a small group, but these “Clueless Quilters” know how to put the pedal to the metal and get things done!

I seem to have lots of quilty things going on, but little to show for it. I think I am involved in too many sew-a-longs, but I just can’t say no!

I still happily pick up my little 4” square and applique my Quilty 365 circle, every morning.

I have been working diligently on the final border of my “Gwennie Inspired” Round Robin quilt. I’m looking forward to the final reveal of all these wonderful quilts.

I have been keeping up nicely with the Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album block, but I fear if I take on one more thing I will be behind on my October block.

I accepted Randy’s (Barrister’sBlock) invitation to a pin cushion swap and my mind is racing a mile a minute figuring out what to make. I have yet to narrow it down.

And, a bit of good news. Two friends e-mailed me last night to let me know that my “Time Warp Stars” quilt (“Clarified Stars” aka “Ghee Whiz”) was the last auction item of the evening at the AQSG auction on Saturday night at the seminar in Tempe, AZ and my friend “Potholder Pam” Weeks won it! You can read more about the quilt (here). So we both helped the AQSG coffers and I couldn’t be more thrilled that it went to a great home! 

Hope you all get lots of quilting time today!

Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt September block

Serratifolia – AKA Fushia! This was a fun block. I can’t believe it has been nearly a year since we started this journey. I’ve been having fun, but I do look forward to seeing this one finished. 

Check out all the wonderful blocks (here). I am so amazed at the variety of fabrics and methods. There certainly is a lot of talent out there. Good job everyone!

Happy Stitching!

Quilty 365 Update

I have been diligent about my happy little circles. Honestly, I have not missed one day of applique on these cute little gems. However, I can't say the same for my photography and blog updating. I have the first 16 rows pieced and over the weekend I pieced each of them into two rows each and rolled them back up on the paper towel rolls. Only 4 more rows and we have a quilt! If all goes according to plan (and what does?) I will be finished with my circles on Nov. 7. I already have plans for the little circles I have cut out from behind these. Once again, Audrey, I thank you for inspiring me!

Check out all the progress on Audrey's (Quilty Folk) blog here. What fun!

Gwennie border #4 Stars revealed

Here is my next to the last border. One more to go. Sorry the photos are so bad, but in order to make my deadline I had to photograph in the dim light of the dawn. Talk about "wonky", I couldn't quite get a straight shot at 4:30 a.m.! This has been so much fun! I had a lot of fun with the stars even though it was a struggle at first to be so “free” with my cutting and sewing. I think this is the most “Gwennie” of the borders so far.

I had a little late night stitching which resulted in a few errors. I considered leaving this to make it really “Gwennie” but I fixed in a moment of weakness.

I also made a technical error with the binding. I meant to bind the short end first, but somehow (must have been the heat last week) I did the long ends first so I had a gap when they were added to the quilt. I contemplated (for about two seconds) taking it apart and redoing it, but decided it would be much more fun (and Gwennie like) to simply add yo-yo’s at the corners so you don’t notice the mistake (as much). It looks pretty good from a (great) distance. 

I love the way the back is looking with all the different fabrics. It may not have been smart to do this (in the heat of a busy summer) in the potholder method, but it has been fun! 

The first two "rounds" were hand quilted and these last two have been machine quilted. I plan to hand quilt the last round.

Lori is doing the link up this month (here) so don’t forget to stop by and see all the super creativity.

I can’t believe it is September already and my turn to choose the final border on our Gwennie Inspired Round Robin.

Being from Maine, my theme choice for the final border is
“Something Fishy”

As with those who have gone before me (Lori, Cynthia, Cathy and Katy), you can interpret this as loosely as you like. Here are a few examples:

Clamshells

Scallops

Seafood fabric or appliques

Sea birds (they eat fish!)

Marine mammals (they eat fish too!)

Lighthouses (they see fish)

Boats (they catch fish)

Ovals and triangles (i.e. fish shaped)

Tartar Sauce – what???

It’s not too late to join in. You have a whole month to create something to share for our October link up. Go sew! Can’t wait to see what you all come up with.